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August 02, 2008

Everyday we are given blessings, but we often ignore those blessings or take them for granted. Each day we wake up is a blessing. Each day we can walk, talk, hear, see, smell, taste, touch is a blessing. Blessings come in many forms, yet are we thankful?

We usually do not think about our blessings until tragedy strikes close to home. For me I am blessed, but it is abundantly clear today as those around me are coping with the loss of love ones. Today I sent my condolences to two families. One family lost their matriach, their mother. Who fought the battle with cancer until the good Lord said it was time to claim her victory. The other family is that of a young couple who lost their only child who was less than a year old to illness. In times like these are questions should not be of why? What we need to be reminded of are the many blessings we will always have because these lives touched our hearts. I am not close to these families. They are merely acquaintances that have shared space within my lifetime. However, I felt a pull toward letting them know that they are not alone in this world and that the pain shall pass. That is all I can do at this time. Yet, I feel blessed because I know that there is a life after this and that those who go before me are now enjoying such a peaceful, serene place of existence.

July 28, 2008

Today I received an email from Dr. Jewell Parker-Rhodes. She is the author of Voodoo Seasons and Voodoo Dreams. These are 2 great reads and if you haven't read these books yet then go out and buy them quick! She asked if I would like to review her upcoming novel, Yellow Moon, the 3rd book in the series. Before I can go on with my feelings on this matter, I need to back up. Once upon a time, I maintained a website called Inspiring Beyond. This website was dedicated to the empowerment of people through the principles of Inspiration, Motivation, Dedication, Education and Restoration. Every month faithfully for 3 years I and other people provided enriching commentary that would help others in their quest for being the best they can be with an understanding that they are not alone in the world. Now that I've given a quick synopsis, back to the present.

When I started this blog, I was wondering if I should even do it. Simply because the topics would more than likely not be on doll making as most who visits my website, http://caramelchocolatesnursery.info. None the less, I decided that even in doll collecting there is still so much of life that we have to deal with that I felt a pull to open this blog. Now back to Dr. Rhodes, I feel that it is a sign or fate that she would ask me to do a review after this blog just starting. I believe that all things happen for a reason and her note to invite me to review her latest book is testiment to why I started this blog. I am both honored and thrilled to be back in the literary trenches again.

So if you are visiting this blog for the first time, please do return. As it will begin to grow. I think the principles will be utilized once again here. If you would like to share of yourself, please by all means leave your comments.

Hopefully, I will have that book review for you in the next few weeks.

July 26, 2008

It's Saturday and all is quiet. Not too much to discuss today; merely just getting things in order. The summer is going by quickly and before I know it I will be back teaching. Perhaps I'll venture outside today. It has been a while since I've done anything outside for entertainment. There is really nothing that motivates me on the streets at this particular time. Yet, my son is interested in reading poetry at an open mic venue, so I guess we'll do that today.

Oh, as to my first post, I've had some interesting conversations regarding conformity. How I should consider changing my reborn eyes to brown because that is what most buyers look for in "Ethnic" dolls. My response to that cannot be mentioned because it is too offensive to the ear. However, I am not a conformist. Never have been, never will be. When I make changes to my reborns it is to enhance their looks, not change their character. Yes dolls have character. A collector chooses a specific doll because of its character. That certain look that draws the collector to that reborn. I may work on coloring, unless that particular coloring like skintone was created to give the reborn character. Anyway long story short, I thanked my comrades for their suggestions and informed them that whether the reborn is sold or not, this my piece of art and I'm not changing the eyes.

That's all for now folks. I'll talk with you again later. Peace & Blessings!

July 24, 2008

We live in an age where black or white no longer is the only schema. The cultural spectrum demonstrates a true rainbow. For some it is hard to digest or accept. Yet whether you like it or not, diversity is the fabric of God’s design.

As this being the first of many blog entries to come, let me welcome you to the Caramel Chocolates’ Coffee Nook. This section is a forum where your opinions can be heard. You may be asking the question, Why such a serious topic for a Nursery? Yes, this website is dedicated to creating and providing decadent treasures for the diversed collector. A place where one can adopt a beautiful reborn or sculpt doll to cherish for years to come. However, this particular nursery is geared on the percept that decadent treasures come in many shades and many cultures. Here the stereotypes are ignored in order to allow anyone to find a collectible that they can love.

Stereotypes…are ugly little monsters that often promote devaluation and demoralization. Too often we are caught up with the perception that we fit into certain categories. The sad thing is most of us do not realize that we play into stereotypes. As an Black American female I am suppose to look one way. A Caucasian female is supposedly a certain type of characteristic and etc.

Well we all do not look the same. We all do not behave in the same manner and we do not think or feel the same. Each of us are unique with a special ness that can be shared with others.

I decided to speak about this issue after receiving a critique from fellow artists regarding a reborn I’ve done. They commented that I need to work on his lips because they were a little orange, after looking I agreed that was an area I needed to improve. They also commented that I should change the color of this light brown baby boy eyes from green to brown because there was too much contrast. Upon reading that, I must admit the critique got under the skin for me. Don’t get me wrong, these ladies were doing nothing more than sharing their opinions on what would make this particular reborn look beautiful; but, in the back of my mind I wondered do they feel that all children of African descent have brown eyes and that should be displayed in the doll? I recalled other commentary in which an artist struggled with making an “Ethnic” Baby’s hair straight. She felt all “Ethnic” babies’ hair was coarse and curly. After seeing pictures of Black babies with straight hair, the artist admitted that she didn’t realize and apologized profusely because she thought she may have offended someone. All this is to say that again, we come in various shades and hues.

Realizing that stereotypes exist even in the world of doll making, I felt the need to provide a vehicle in which the shades can come off one’s eyes. Thus, I’ll share my opinion to why it is important for one to become aware of not only their values and beliefs, but the worldview as well.

For today, I wanted to provide the definition of stereotypes:

Stereotypes can be defined as perceived impressions that may be exaggerated or preconceived ideas about a particular group of people or culture that is generally determined on physical appearance and other attributes. A major concern on using stereotypes to shape our way of thinking is that many times it is:

Simplistic and rigid

Overgeneralized in that it does not truly represent the individual or group being type cast

Utilized as a way to enhance one's self-identity (consciously or unconsciously)

Major contributor to prejudice and discrimination

Blocks an individual from truly getting to know others or the world they live in

The difficult thing about stereotypes is that we all, myself included have used them. It is something that is learned early in childhood. It is ingrained so deeply that it is hard to resist relying on it to identify with other groups or cultures. There is good news though; the more aware a person becomes of how they use stereotypes to make conclusions of how a person should be, the more a person has an opportunity to change his or her way of thinking.

It's what we call becoming "Critical Thinkers." Anyway, now that I have vented, thank you taking a moment to read my thoughts. I look forward to having more conversations with you in the future.